Negative pressure wound therapy apparatus

Abstract

Disclosed embodiments relate to apparatuses and methods for wound treatment. In certain embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a spacer layer with an upper portion and a lower portion. The spacer layer can be configured to be wrapped around at least one edge of the absorbent layer with the upper portion of the spacer layer being above the absorbent layer and the lower portion of the spacer layer being below the absorbent layer. In some embodiments, a negative pressure wound therapy apparatus can include a first and second spacer layer and an absorbent layer. The first spacer layer can be positioned below the absorbent layer and the first spacer layer can have a perimeter larger than a perimeter of the absorbent layer. The second spacer layer can be positioned above the absorbent layer. The second spacer layer can have a perimeter larger than the perimeter of the absorbent layer.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A negative pressure wound therapy apparatus, comprising:
 a wound dressing comprising:
 a wound contact layer configured to be positioned in contact with a wound; 
 an absorbent layer; 
 a spacer layer above the absorbent layer, the spacer layer having an edge that extends beyond a perimeter of the absorbent layer, wherein the spacer layer only partially covers the absorbent layer, wherein the edge of the spacer layer is configured to provide a fluid pathway around a portion of the absorbent layer; and 
 a cover layer comprising a moisture vapor permeable material, the cover layer configured to cover and form a seal over the wound contact layer, the spacer layer, and the absorbent layer, and wherein a portion of the absorbent layer is in contact with the cover layer and configured to bring liquid into contact with the cover layer to aid in transpiration of moisture vapor through the cover layer. 
 
 
     
     
       2. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an aperture in the cover layer and a fluidic connector positioned over the aperture in the cover layer. 
     
     
       3. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a filter provided at the aperture in the cover layer. 
     
     
       4. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the spacer layer underlies the aperture in the cover layer. 
     
     
       5. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 2 , further comprising a negative pressure source configured to apply negative pressure through the aperture in the cover layer. 
     
     
       6. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer forms a cross-shape above the absorbent layer. 
     
     
       7. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a through-hole extending through the absorbent layer. 
     
     
       8. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the through-hole is aligned underneath the filter. 
     
     
       9. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the through-hole is offset from the filter. 
     
     
       10. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer extends laterally along an upper surface of the absorbent layer. 
     
     
       11. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer extends in one or more lateral directions along an upper surface of the absorbent layer. 
     
     
       12. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the spacer layer comprises a strip extending along an upper surface of the absorbent layer. 
     
     
       13. The wound therapy apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the strip wraps around the perimeter of the absorbent layer and extends along a lower surface of the absorbent layer.